The new facilities, including bold construction techniques, sustainability and eco-efficiency, represent an advance for Petrobras’ technology development.
With the expansion the complex on Fundão Island will occupy more than 300 thousand m² making it one of the largest centers of applied research in the world. There will be various laboratories designed to meet the technological demands of Petrobras’ business areas, in particular, the laboratories of Biotechnology, Environment and Gas & Energy stand out. The expansion will also include modern laboratories dedicated exclusively to meeting the demands of the pre-salt projects.
The CENPES expansion is part of a Petrobras strategy to expand the experimental capacity of the Brazilian technological park. Today the company invests more in science and technology than any other Brazilian company. In the last three years close to R$4.8 billion was invested, with R$1.2 billion going to national universities and research institutes, partners of Petrobras in the construction of experimental infrastructure, the training of technicians and researchers, and the development of research projects. In the Technology Park of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) alone, located close to CENPES, construction of research centers of at least four important energy industry equipment and services suppliers have already been announced: Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, FMC Technologies, and Usiminas.
The expansion of the Petrobras Research Center includes innovative facilities. Among them are the Center for Collaborative Visualization (NVC) with areas for the development of studies and projects using three dimensional simulations. The researchers and specialists can work remotely in the NVC and in other locations as if they are immersed in the model studied. The complex also includes nine wings dedicated to laboratory facilities and a central building with administrative areas and spaces for socializing and collaborative work.
The system for water recycling stands out. Rain water, which is collected from the roof and floor, will be recycled for the irrigation of gardens and to supply the toilets. Toilet, oil and chemical waste water will be treated by ETRA (Water Treatment and Reuse Station) and reused in the air conditioning system, allowing a reduction in consumption of potable water.
The Utilities Center, considered the heart of the complex, is responsible for the distribution of electrical energy, energy generated with diesel gas; for receiving the water treated by ETRA; and for providing the basic inputs for operation of the complex. Using state-of-the-art technology the Center has various systems capable of supplying all services, guaranteeing its ongoing and safe operation.
This shows how committed Petrobras is to high end technological development and how the company is determined to keep high investments flowing to the research areas it deems important. The involvement of national universities is vital to the technological development of the country and to bring new ideas forward.
Claudio Paschoa
Photo courtesy of Petrobras